Field Training Manager
Steak ’n Shake | Franchisee
Position Overview
Steak ’n Shake is seeking a high-impact Field Training Manager (FTM) to elevate performance across franchisee restaurants. Reporting to the VP of Training and collaborating with multi-unit field leadership, this leader will drive training excellence, strengthen multi-unit capability, and ensure disciplined restaurant certification standards across assigned markets. This role is a visible, performance-focused position that directly influences operational results and builds the future bench of Steak ’n Shake leadership.
Key Responsibilities
1. Lead Market-Based Training Execution
- Plan, deliver, and evaluate training for new product launches and non-product initiatives across franchise and company markets.
- Execute special projects and field tests while ensuring consistent brand standards and operational excellence.
- Measure training effectiveness and adjust delivery to maximize performance outcomes.
2. Coach & Develop Restaurant Leadership
- Conduct structured restaurant assessments and lead “development days” with Franchisees.
- Diagnose operational gaps, measure performance drivers, and provide actionable coaching and feedback.
- Recommend and implement targeted development plans to build leadership bench strength and improve restaurant results.
- Partner with Franchise Business Advisors (FBAs) and leaders to elevate management capability.
3. Facilitate Instructor-Led Training
- Facilitate 2–3 training classes per month (approximately 27 annually) in assigned franchisee markets.
- Teach core operational, leadership, and performance curriculum aligned with company strategy.
- Receive recommendations from field leadership on training needs and provide live support.
- Teach and oversee food safety training certification at the restaurant level
4. Manage Training Restaurant Certification Standards
- Oversee and ensure disciplined execution of the training restaurant certification process.
- Audit, assess, and validate training restaurants to maintain consistent, high-performance standards.
- Strengthen organizational performance through structured certification oversight.
- Visit high-performing restaurants and develop them into certified training restaurants
- Partner with existing certified training restaurants to audit and coach training best practices
5. Support New Restaurant Openings
- Lead and support Franchisee onboarding.
- Develop follow-up plans to ensure training initiatives translate into sustained operational performance.
Required Qualifications
- 5–7 years of progressive restaurant operations experience required.
- Minimum 2 years of multi-unit training leadership experience required.
- Proven experience leading restaurant training initiatives, coaching managers, and driving measurable operational improvements.
- Demonstrated ability to assess performance, analyze data, and implement structured improvement plans.
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills with experience teaching or leading structured training programs.
- Ability to travel within assigned domestic markets (estimated 50–70% travel depending on market needs).
Preferred Qualifications
- 8 years of restaurant operations experience in a multi-unit or franchise environment.
- Prior experience in franchise systems
- Experience facilitating formal leadership development or corporate training programs.
- Experience supporting new restaurant openings and certification processes.
- Bilingual capabilities (Spanish preferred).
Why Steak ’n Shake
At Steak ’n Shake, we are building a high-performance franchise system grounded in operational excellence, leadership development, and disciplined standards. The Field Training Manager plays a critical role in shaping the future of our franchisee model and strengthening restaurant leadership across markets.
This position serves as a direct bench for Franchise Business Advisor and other operations or training leadership roles — offering strong career growth for ambitious leaders ready to make an impact.